A Bloody, Bandaged Kristaps Porzingis Was All Smiles While Returning for Foul Shots

Porzingis took this like a true champ.
Boston Celtics' Kristap Porzingis with a big bandage on his forehead during Game 2 vs. the Orlando Magic on April 23, 2025.
Boston Celtics' Kristap Porzingis with a big bandage on his forehead during Game 2 vs. the Orlando Magic on April 23, 2025. / NBA / X / Screenshot

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis looked pretty banged up after taking an elbow to the face during Game 2 of his team’s playoff series vs. the Orlando Magic, but his spirit has never looked better.

Porzingis fell to the floor late in the third quarter after a nasty shot to the head from Magic center Goga Bitadze, but quickly rallied, stood up, and moved to the locker room. Despite the blood dripping from his forehead, the big man was all smiles as he exited the court, very clearly wearing his new wound as a badge of honor.

But Bitadze was hit with a flagrant, so Porzingis had to return to the court for his two free throws. And in what would prove to be a temporary solution, team docs then covered the Celtic's injury with a positively massive bandage, adding a bit of hilarity to his bloody appearance.

As he walked back onto the hardwood, the center was clearly chuckling to himself at the absurdity of it all, and even took a minute to revel in the cheers coming from the stands. He'd go on to make one of his free throws but miss the other.

Watch that below:

Wednesday's incident was somehow the second time this month Porzingis started bleeding during a game. Indeed, in early April, the center took a hit from Phoenix Suns swingman Cody Martin and had to exit that game with yet another bloody injury.

For Porzingis' sake, let's hope Game 3 is a bit less violent. Who knows how much more this man can take!


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Brigid Kennedy
BRIGID KENNEDY

Brigid Kennedy is a contributor to the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Before joining SI in November 2024, she covered political news, sporting news and culture at TheWeek.com before moving to Livingetc, an interior design magazine. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, dual majoring in television, radio and film (from the Newhouse School of Public Communications) and marketing managment (from the Whitman School of Management). Offline, she enjoys going to the movies, reading and watching the Steelers.